CCS Credit Collection Services- the mother thread

[Guest picantel]

Here is the info I have so far on CCS. I am seeing more and more people posting in this forum because of fake columbia house dvd accounts and we should all post under 1 thread to keep abreast of these situations. Please put all conversations, lawsuit info, and any information you find about this company in this thread. I will paste some past information but I found some new info also including a possible extention for the president.

 

CCS Financial Services, inc. dba Credit Collection Services dba Credit Control Services, Inc

Two Wells Ave

Newton, MA 02459

phone: 617-965-2000

fax: 617-964-5988

president: Steven Sands x 2105

vice president: David Sands

 

registered agent:

CT Corporation System

101 Federal Street

Suite 700

Boston, MA 02110

 

The creditor 'Capital Assistance Group, LLC' has the exact address of CCS. the Managers are also Steven and David Sands

registered agent:

Steven Sands

Two Wells Ave

Newton, MA 02459

 

Registered as a foreign company from Delaware. Registered with the state of Massachusetts using the name of Credit Control Services, Inc. This company also uses that name for licensing purposes. I do not know if they need to license each name they use or if they can register under maybe a parent company and all affiliates get a free pass. Someone needs to research this info.

 

Website: http://www.ccsusa.com

 

Federal Lawsuits filed against this company: 128

 

Remember that if a collection agency and creditor are partners and incorporated in Delaware the creditor is also liable under the FDCPA for the collection agency's violations. This means you can sue both of them and collect damages from both.

 

ELIZABETH PETER, Plaintiff-Appellant,

v.

GC SERVICES L.P.; DLS ENTERPRISES, INC.; and GC FINANCIAL

CORPORATION,

Defendants-Appellees.

No. 01-21027

United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.

October 18, 2002

Appeal from the United States District Court For the Southern District

of Texas

 

The final issue raised on appeal is whether defendants GC Financial

and DLS Enterprises can be held liable for the FDCPA

violations of GC Services, a Delaware partnership in which they are

general partners. The district court, concluding that GC

Services had in no way violated the FDCPA, dismissed all complaints

against the general partners. It had no occasion to address

whether those corporations could be held liable if GC Services were

found to be in violation of the FDCPA.

GC Financial and DLS Enterprises argue they cannot be held liable for

the FDCPA violations of GC Services because they are not

debt collectors as defined in 15 U.S.C. s 1692(a)(6). This argument

ignores a basic principle of partnership law. Under Delaware

law general partners are liable for all obligations of the partnership.

6 Del C. s 15-306(a) (2001) ("... all partners are liable

jointly and severally for all obligations of the partnership unless

otherwise agreed by the claimant or provided by law."). Nothing

in the FDCPA limits this basic provision of the applicable state law.

Miller v. McCalla, Raymer, Padrick, Cobb, Nichols & Clark,

214 F.3d 872, 876 (7th Cir.2000) (holding that general partners are

liable for FDCPA violations of partnership). Thus, GC

Financial and DLS Enterprises are jointly and severally liable for GC

Services' infractions, and are not entitled to a dismissal of

this action.

 

Complaint links:

 

FTC:

https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.sta...Z_ORG_CODE=PU01

 

BBB:

http://www.bbb.com

 

Massachusetts Attorney General:

http://www.ago.state.ma.us/sp.cfm?pageid=2316

 

don't forget your own attorney general

Edited March 12, 2007 by picantel

[bbjdb]

North Carolina Permit Info:

 

Credit Collection Services

Permit: 3163

Status: Active

Address: 2 Wells Avenue

Newton, MA02459

License Address: 2 Wells Avenue

Newton, MA02459

Contact: Geralad Sands

Telephone(s): (617) 965-2000 (Business Phone)

(617) 332-7311 (Fax)

(617) 965-2000 (License Phone)

 

Credit Control Services, Inc.

Trade Name: Credit Collection Services

Permit: 4447

 

Status: Active

Address: Two Wells Avenue

Newton Center, MA02459

License Address: 15 Southwest Park

Westwood, MA02090

Contact: 781 326 2000 dsands@ccsua.com

Telephone(s): (617) 965-2000 (Business Phone)

(617) 762-3035 (Fax)

(617) 965-2000 (License Phone)

 

ETA: Names indicate why two permits

Edited March 12, 2007 by bbjdb

[Guest picantel]

Just got off the phone with the office of financial regulation in Florida. While Credit Control Services in licensed in florida this state also requires all dba names to be licensed and CCS let all their other names expire some time ago so collecting as Credit Collection Services is in fact illegal in this state. They are sending me forms to fill out and notarize and you can rest assured I will be on them hardcore to get the fines rolling.

[advan]

Just got off the phone with the office of financial regulation in Florida. While Credit Control Services in licensed in florida this state also requires all dba names to be licensed and CCS let all their other names expire some time ago so collecting as Credit Collection Services is in fact illegal in this state. They are sending me forms to fill out and notarize and you can rest assured I will be on them hardcore to get the fines rolling.

i have them on my report, only TU though. for a booboo missed payment i made with progressive insurance. they sent me 3 letters, and have not updated my TL since..last letter said failure to respond will result in this collection "deemed impossible" lol.

[Guest picantel]

Finally got ahold of columbia house dvd on a callback. there was one account not 2 and it was from 2002 and not 2005 like CCS claimed. Of course, we had one account from 2004 that was closed in good standing so it was made up. This is the account with a fake name. Called CCS and they closed both accounts and put in for deletion. Maybe they did this after I emailed their vice president and told him I was suing the crap out of their company. Also, they are unlicensed(confirmed) in Florida. Too late. Get em Chris.

[z0ner]

After today, my case should be closed too. I called an unpublished customer service# @ CH and spoke to a rep (in the US) who was very helpful. She told me she would tell the CA to stop collection efforts, and I asked for e-mail confirmation. I was actually persistent and stayed on the phone until I received the e-mail:

 

Account #5026567XXXX

 

Due to your circumstances, we have asked the Collection Agency to cease all billing. Please disregard any additional statements you may receive.

 

If we may be of further service, please contact us at http://www.columbiahouse.com.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

XXXX XXXXX

Customer Service

 

Picantel, let's continue to subscribe to this thread to let each other know when the tradeline actually falls off. I'll finally be able to rest a little easier

Edited March 13, 2007 by z0ner

[Guest picantel]

They stated they were sent in for deletion yesterday. It took 6 -7 days to hit my wife's reports when they reported them and probably the same to get them off. It is too late as my litigation is going forward. My attorney called them and got the run around so yesterday he sent a certified letter telling them call to settle or they can enjoy the lawsuit.

[Guest picantel]

quick update. Just got off the phone with equifax. I had both in dispute. One of them they verified as inaccurate. This tells me they actually made up the second account and put it on her credit. The other one, which I had disputed a month before they reported, they verified as accurate. I have them on tape 2 days ago stating 2 days prior they put them in for deletion. their verification was done yesterday. The hole has just gotten deeper.

[abmn]

I DV"d them and they sent me a letter back stating I didnt provide enough information. Name, Address, Social, and alleged Account number weren't good enough? I sent them an extra copy of the original letter as well as a copy of the Cert mail tag and advised them of the time they had left to validate the debt. No response as of yet...

 

CCS - the new AFNI?

[Guest picantel]

File complaints. I put 3 links in the first posting. If they put it on your credit report which they probably did dispute it asap. Send another certified letter stating you basically are not gonna baby sit them and to either provide proof or delete. They told me it was 2 accounts from 2005 but when I called columbia house they only had 1 account they had sold CCS from 2002. They lied on the account and then duplicated it which is fraud. tomorrow I file a criminal complaint.

[Guest picantel]

I think I got a verbal cease and desist from CCS. LOL. I had my attorney return their phone call and they stated their legal counsel would be in on monday but they asked that I stopped calling and emailing them. One might say I would not have to call if 1)they called me back like they promised and 2)they stopped lying and finally 3)they did not verify the debts they insist they put in for deletion. They will probably want to discuss settlement monday but I am not too inclined to take it.

[z0ner]

I think I got a verbal cease and desist from CCS. LOL. I had my attorney return their phone call and they stated their legal counsel would be in on monday but they asked that I stopped calling and emailing them. One might say I would not have to call if 1)they called me back like they promised and 2)they stopped lying and finally 3)they did not verify the debts they insist they put in for deletion. They will probably want to discuss settlement monday but I am not too inclined to take it.

 

BEAT THEIR marigolds INTO SUBMISSION!

[onmyway06]

omg!!! a collection account appeared on my TU and EQ too for this columbia house...

it appeared just when i was applying for a mortgage...ugh! i was so pissed!

 

i already sent a DV...is it quicker to call Columbia House? any number to call?

[horseymen]

This happened to me too - I called Columbia House and got that email but have yet to get it on official letterhead.

 

Picantel, do you think I should call and pick on them, or give it some time to get the letter?

 

omg!!! a collection account appeared on my TU and EQ too for this columbia house...

it appeared just when i was applying for a mortgage...ugh! i was so pissed!

 

i already sent a DV...is it quicker to call Columbia House? any number to call?

[Guest picantel]

Columbia house purges their older information so they will have nothing on the fake bills except the date and the fact it was sold. You can DV CCs but they will provide you nothing and will continue to report. The only thing you can do, and they force you to do this, is to sue them. You can also call them continually until they get the picture. Monday maybe I will get some contact info on their legal department which they will refuse to give out over the phone.

[horseymen]

Luckily, like you, I have verification from the original creditor that this account does not and did not exist. Looks like Columbia House is covering their a$$es better than CCS. Scum.

 

Columbia house purges their older information so they will have nothing on the fake bills except the date and the fact it was sold. You can DV CCs but they will provide you nothing and will continue to report. The only thing you can do, and they force you to do this, is to sue them. You can also call them continually until they get the picture. Monday maybe I will get some contact info on their legal department which they will refuse to give out over the phone.

[onmyway06]

i am soooooooooooo mad at this people!!! i worked my scores up to 700 in EQ, lowest 663 in TU, and 670 in EX...but now my scores are all below 650!!!! and i'm in the process of mortgage...i am so pissed!!!

 

but Columbia House is taking care of it...they said that they couldn't find this account in their records.

[Guest picantel]

They said they would call my attorney yesterday and never did. I told him they were liars and now he knows it. I put the tradelines in dispute one more time to see if they come off. According to them the accounts are closed and put in for deletion and I am the easter bunny. Last night I filed mail fraud charges against the company and their president. I decided to give them 2 more days before I hit up the criminal charges. After they updated and re-aged the account the fico score fell another 40 points. Almost 80 points lost because of this.

[Guest picantel]

Talked to the Massachussetts Attorney General's office today. CCS has 69 complaints against them. She would neither confirm nor deny any current action against this company. In fact, we filed a complaint a week ago and they have not even read it yet although they do have it and promised it would be read soon. Usually they would set up a mediation date but because I have an attorney they will not get involved. If you have a legitimate complaint(legitimate) you need to file with the various government agencies. Complaining about it on a forum can make you feel better but that is about all you get. If they are collecting on a bogus bill, have failed to provide validation, have continued to call without providing validation, and especially if they have reported after you filed a dispute then you need to get your complaint in yesterday. Remember, filing a complaint when they have broken no laws is not productive. You must only file if they have broken the law. If you are in Florida you can immediately file because they are not licensed. If you are in a state that does require licensing check their name because they are probably licensed under CCS Financial Services and NOT Credit Collection Services. See if your state allows DBA names to have a free pass or if each name must be registered as they are required in Florida. Good luck all. They refuse to call my attorney back so we are filing against the CA, their affiliate new OC, and columbia house. With actual damages this will run near 6 figures and I am quite happy to settle down for a long drawn out brawl.

[EE2000]

I'm new to this, since I've never received a collections notice.

 

I recently received two collections letters from Credit Collection Services (Newton, MA) on behalf of Hollywood Video for the amounts of $49.99 and $92.88.

 

The only problem is that I haven't rented anything from them in over 3+years. There is an account number on the collections form and it doesn't match my hollywood video number on the back of the card. I stopped in the store and they have no history of anything under my account.

 

Is this just mistaken identity which can be cleared up with the Letter of Validation? I've never received any previous paperwork about this before. I haven't check my credit report since January and that was only experian.

[Proactive1]

After today, my case should be closed too. I called an unpublished customer service# @ CH and spoke to a rep (in the US) who was very helpful. She told me she would tell the CA to stop collection efforts, and I asked for e-mail confirmation. I was actually persistent and stayed on the phone until I received the e-mail:

 

Account #5026567XXXX

 

Due to your circumstances, we have asked the Collection Agency to cease all billing. Please disregard any additional statements you may receive.

 

If we may be of further service, please contact us at http://www.columbiahouse.com.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

XXXX XXXXX

Customer Service

 

Picantel, let's continue to subscribe to this thread to let each other know when the tradeline actually falls off. I'll finally be able to rest a little easier

 

 

Can you share the unpublished number for Columbia House? CCS just hit my DH's report for a collection of $128.00. The account is not his, this is so frustrating!

[Guest picantel]

Just received the CCS response to the BBB complaint. Unreal. My attorney sounds a little pumped too because they violated the fdcpa in their ridiculous response. To make matters worse from them I went from pissed to beyond pissed. You will see the typical JDB response in which we are all scumbags.

 

We are in receipt of the complaint filed with your office by Mrs. XXX. We greatly appreciate this opportunity to respond. In considering this matter, please remember that our customers are the creditors that place accounts with CCS. The complaints that you have received are not from CCS customers or consumers, but rather from debtors who are not pleased with their situation from the outset. We would not receive these accounts for collection unless the debtor was already in significant default in his or her obligation to our client. It stands to reason that some of these referrals will result in complaints to the Better Business Bureau upon escalation to a third party for collection. Mrs. XXX is upset because we are billing her on behalf of our client, BMG Record Club. Please be advised also that the accounts in question are for DVDs that Mrs. Williams purchased from Columbia House DVD service, which is a division of BMG. Mrs. Williams states that on 2/2/07 she faxed a dispute letter to our office, but we then reported the accounts to the credit bureaus as disputed. She would like these accounts to be removed from her bureaus. These accounts were closed with our office upon receipt of Mrs. XXX� dispute letter. Our office was contacted on 2/3/07 by Mrs. XXX� husband. He stated that these accounts were disputed, and he would be faxing a dispute letter to our office. The letter disputing these accounts was not received until 3/8/07. Having not received Mrs. XXX� dispute letter in a timely manner after the conversation with her husband, these accounts were reported to the bureaus on 3/2/07. We did however report them as disputed. We have advised the credit bureaus to delete these accounts. We cannot control the speed in which the bureaus will act upon on request. We recommend checking back in 30-60 days with the bureaus to confirm deletion of these accounts. If Mrs. XXX should determine that these accounts are still on her bureaus, then she should contact our office, and we will submit another request to the bureaus on her behalf. We trust this resolves your concerns.

 

1)BMG is NOT their client. They bought the debts. That is called misrepresentation and violates both the fdcpa and florida law. Thank you morons.

2)CCS was aware the debt was not my wifes. They did not even spell her name correctly. Hey who cares right CCS after all we are all scumbags.

3)Fax was sent out feb 3rd. I have them on tape admitting they received it. They reported it in dispute. Now suddenly they did not receive it until march 8th. Sureeee. IF that is true why did you report it in dispute.

4)The second dispute was sent in on a second account march 8th. That is the dispute they are talking about and are pretending was for the first. Taped phone conversations do not lie- this company does.

5)The 2nd debt was fabricated by this company. Columbia house stated they sold one account not two.

 

I have a ton of evidence to use in court. Now I have this BBB response. How kind of them. JDBs are so arrogant it is almost laughable.

[nospleen]

After today, my case should be closed too. I called an unpublished customer service# @ CH and spoke to a rep (in the US) who was very helpful. She told me she would tell the CA to stop collection efforts, and I asked for e-mail confirmation. I was actually persistent and stayed on the phone until I received the e-mail:

 

Account #5026567XXXX

 

Due to your circumstances, we have asked the Collection Agency to cease all billing. Please disregard any additional statements you may receive.

 

If we may be of further service, please contact us at http://www.columbiahouse.com.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

XXXX XXXXX

Customer Service

 

Picantel, let's continue to subscribe to this thread to let each other know when the tradeline actually falls off. I'll finally be able to rest a little easier

 

 

Can you share the unpublished number for Columbia House? CCS just hit my DH's report for a collection of $128.00. The account is not his, this is so frustrating!

 

I second this! We just applied for our FHA loan and wham, bogus collection. grrrrr!

[sean1397]

I got one for the exact same $128 on Transunion and I have never ever used COlumbia DVD club.

 

Client Services has also never contacted me before today.

 

They and Columbia Club will have 10 biz days from Monday to resolve this or they will face an immediate suit.

 

Here is the PResident at Columbia Club. I will try to get a fax number tomorrow.

 

If anyone has the phone number, I would appreciate it.

 

Stuart Goldfarb

President and CEO

BMG Columbia House

One Penn Plaza

250 West 34th Street, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10119

 

I will be sending my letters out Monday.

 

I'm not even gonna bother validating them. This company is committing outright fraud over and over and will not be hard to defeat in court. They can delete or come to court.

 

Sean

[sean1397]

I will fax and fedex this letter Monday. If no results within 10 days, I will file suit and push the local DA (Who I think I know) to file criminal charges.

 

>>>>>>>>>>>

 

CLIENT SERVICES

2 WELLS AVE

NEWTON , MA 02459-3208

 

 

3/31/07

 

Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested

 

Intent to Sue

 

Intent to ask the local District Attorney to file criminal charges against Steven Sands and Client Services.

 

 

Dear Client Services:

 

I checked my credit reports today, and there is a collection listed by your company. The collection reads Columbia Club DVD $128. Account from 1/2007, reported 3/2007. Account # 1919129. SSN ending in _____.

 

I have never signed up for a Columbia DVD Club account.

 

I have never received anything from Columbia DVD Club. I have never received any merchandise and I have never received any bill.

 

I have never received any correspondence from your company.

 

This listing is currently violating the FCBA since I never received a bill and was never given a chance to pay and it violates the FCRA as the information is entirely incorrect. If it continues to remain on my report after this notification, it will also violate the FDCPA.

 

I ask that you remove this item from my Transunion report within 10 days of your receipt of this letter and that you not report it anywhere else.

 

If you refuse to remove it, I ask that you validate this debt, and please send me a contract bearing my signature showing I owe this debt and please provide records to me including proof of delivery that I was sent and received bills regarding this debt. You will not be able to validate this debt as I have never opened an account with Columbia DVD.

 

If ten days pass and this item remains on any of my credit reports I will ask my attorney to file suit against your company for the multiple violations of federal law and more importantly libel. I am currently financing a business and seeking a mortgage and your listing is causing me extreme hardship. I will ask my attorney to direct the FCBA portion of the lawsuit directly against Columbia Club (They are being notified as well at their corporate offices) and the FCDPA and/or FCRA portions against your company. We will seek statutory damages of $1000 per violation, actual damages due to my inability to receive credit at this time, and punitive damages from a jury as you have now been made aware of your error.

 

I have called the Attorney General in Massachusetts. There are over 60 complaints against your company in the past few weeks for fraudulent reports. If this account is not deleted within 10 days, I too will file a complaint against your company with the Attorney General, but more importantly, I will band with about 20 other people I have met online to file criminal charges against you through the local District Attorney. I will push the DA to file criminal charges against Steven Sands for operating in states where he is not licensed and for collecting on and reporting accounts that he knows are not accurate. This is criminal fraud and if this account remains on any of my credit reports, I will push for a criminal arrest.

 

I thank you in advance for resolving this matter quickly and hope that you delete this account from my credit reports immediately.

 

 

Sincerely,

Edited April 1, 2007 by sean1397